EP3734201A1 - Réfrigérateur conçu pour le stockage d'aliments sous vide - Google Patents

Réfrigérateur conçu pour le stockage d'aliments sous vide Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3734201A1
EP3734201A1 EP20172120.6A EP20172120A EP3734201A1 EP 3734201 A1 EP3734201 A1 EP 3734201A1 EP 20172120 A EP20172120 A EP 20172120A EP 3734201 A1 EP3734201 A1 EP 3734201A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
lid
rod
bracket
door
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP20172120.6A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Germano Maina
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP3734201A1 publication Critical patent/EP3734201A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/02—Doors; Covers
    • F25D23/028—Details
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
    • F25D25/024—Slidable shelves
    • F25D25/025—Drawers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2317/04—Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments
    • F25D2317/043—Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments by creating a vacuum in a storage compartment

Definitions

  • the subject of the present invention is a refrigerator designed to store food under vacuum.
  • Vacuum is a technique that allows the organoleptic and nutritional properties and flavour of preserved foods to remain unchanged for as long as possible, preventing their deterioration, oxidation and the proliferation of bacteria. This happens thanks to the elimination of air and oxygen which favour the proliferation of bacteria and moulds.
  • This system of preservation of food which can be used both for fresh and cooked food, reduces food waste and ensures greater hygiene by eliminating or reducing the possibility of contamination with other foods and the proliferation of bacteria and mould.
  • appliances for domestic use are quite widespread that allow a vacuum to be created in bags or containers that are then placed in the refrigerator until the time of consumption.
  • refrigerator manufacturers have offered refrigerators on the market with a drawer designed to be placed under vacuum by suction/expulsion of the air contained therein.
  • a single drawer intended to contain different foods does not eliminate the possibility of contamination among different foods.
  • US 2009/302724 A1 discloses a connection system for connecting an encoded domestic appliance feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the encoded feature module and the utility source.
  • the connection system includes a utility source that has a coupler capable of removably engaging an encoded domestic appliance feature module to the utility source.
  • at least one encoded domestic appliance feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities.
  • an interface between the utility source and the feature module where the interface includes a detection and recognition device that operates to detect when the encoded feature module is connected to the utility source.
  • the object of the invention is to eliminate, or at least reduce, the disadvantages of the prior art described above.
  • one object of the invention is to provide a refrigerator designed for the storage of food under vacuum that maintains almost unchanged, or reduces as little as possible, the useful space inside the refrigerator, leaving unchanged the drawers with which it is normally supplied.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide such a refrigerator that is provided with several separate containers for the storage of food that can be selectively placed under vacuum.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a refrigerator in which the space for the vacuum is easily accessible for the positioning and removal of the single containers, in such a way that the removable containers can be easily removed for even partial consumption of the food contained therein, easily cleaned/washed, and repositioned to be automatically placed under vacuum again.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide such a refrigerator that can be easily adapted for the storage of food under vacuum and that does not lead to an excessive increase in cost, therefore found to be economically competitive.
  • the refrigerator designed for the preservation of food under vacuum comprises a body and a door, with a suction pipe, connected to a vacuum source, said suction pipe being placed in said body and extending in said door to lead into at least one opening formed in the inner panel of the door, capable of accommodating a normally closed valve, wherein a bracket supporting at least one container with a hinge-openable lid is provided, said bracket being mountable on said inner panel of the door and being provided with at least one hole in alignment with said opening in the panel, in said lid of the container a rod being provided that is placed in axial alignment with said hole in the bracket and said panel opening in lowered position of the lid on the respective container, said rod being controllable by a front knob that causes an axial displacement thereof for the opening/closing of the valve to create vacuum in the container (20), a solenoid valve (8) and a vacuum switch (9) being placed on the suction line (6) for the regulation and maintaining of the degree of vacuum.
  • FIGS 1 and 2 schematically show a refrigerator denoted overall by reference numeral 1, comprising a body 2 with a plurality of compartments, consisting of drawers (not shown) and shelves 3, and a door 4 inside of which brackets 5 are normally provided, only schematised in the drawings, with housings for the containment of food or bottles.
  • the assembly for the placing under vacuum of food according to the invention denoted by reference numeral 10, is mounted on door 4, inside which a pipe 6 is provided that extends in body 2 of the refrigerator and connects to compressor 7.
  • a solenoid valve 8 and a vacuum switch 9 are placed, for the creation and management of vacuum inside the containers, as will be better explained in greater detail here below.
  • Assembly 10 could also be placed inside body 2 of the refrigerator, but it is preferable to place it on the door, where it is more easily accessible.
  • Figure 3 shows assembly 10 enlarged and detached from door 4, consisting of a support bracket 11 on which two containers 20 are placed, one shown with lid 21 closed, the other with lid open.
  • Bracket 11 has a substantially L-shaped section, with a base 12 for the support of the containers 20 and a vertical wall 13 that can be fixed to door 4 of the refrigerator, to which lids 21 are hinged, for the reasons that will be made clearer below.
  • Lids 21 could also be hinged to the relative containers 20, but in this case the system would be more complex to install and less practical during use.
  • the components that allow the container 20 to be placed under vacuum are incorporated in the lid 21, in which a gasket 22 is provided for sealing on the respective container 20.
  • lid 21 is hinged to bracket 11 by means of hinge elements 14, schematically shown in Figure 4 .
  • valves 30, in this case diaphragm valves, are provided, the functioning whereof will be illustrated below.
  • valves 30 may be of a different type.
  • a duct 23 is provided that extends from the front part to the rear part of the lid, and is placed in alignment with a corresponding hole 15 provided in bracket 11, when the lid 21 is closed on container 20.
  • a rod 40 is placed, mounted in such a way that it can only slide axially, without the possibility of rotation.
  • the rod 40 has a threaded first section 41 designed to be placed at the front part of the lid and an end section 42 of smaller diameter and faceted, designed to slide in a corresponding seat 24 having the same profile, formed inside the duct 23, in such a way that the rotation of the rod 40 is prevented.
  • Said end section 42 ends with a tip 43 suitable for actuating a valve 30 as will be mentioned here below.
  • a small hole 25 is provided downstream of the O-ring 44 for the passage of air from the interior of the container during the creation of the vacuum, as will be mentioned here below.
  • the threaded end 41 of the rod 40 protrudes at the front from a closing plug 26 of duct 23.
  • Plug 26 has for such purpose a central hole 27 for the passage of the rod 40 and an underlying hole 28 in communication with the interior of the container acting as a vent hole when the vacuum is removed, as will be mentioned here below.
  • a small plate 45 is screwed onto the threaded section 41 of the rod 40 with a threaded hole 46 and an underlying small hole 47 for the mounting of a vent valve 48, which goes to occlude the vent hole 28.
  • vent valve holder plate 45 moves together with the rod 40.
  • the closing plug 26 has below a slit 29, so as not to interfere with a tab 51 protruding frontally from the container 20 serving for the closing of the lid as will now be stated.
  • closing plug 26 of the duct 23 provided inside the lid 21, but it is clear that this plug 26 can be an integral part of duct 23 and therefore of lid 21.
  • a knob 50 is provided, provided with a pair of toothed fins 52 suitable to engage in plug 26 of the lid.
  • an internally threaded hub 53 is provided, suitable to screw on the threaded end 41 of the rod 40.
  • the knob 50 once mounted on the lid 21, abuts with its skirt 54 against the plug 26 and is prevented from moving axially, so that a rotation of the knob 50 causes an axial displacement of the rod 40.
  • the skirt 54 of the knob 50 in condition of closure of the lid on the container 20, is placed with one of its sections under the tab 51 of the container, and has a cut-out 55, in such a way that, according to the angular position of the knob, the opening or closing of the container is produced, as will be explained in greater detail here below.
  • the bracket 11, designed with lids 21 and valves 30, and supporting the removable containers 20, constitutes the assembly 10 for placing under vacuum, which can be easily installed on door 4 of the refrigerator, on whose inner panel 4' ( Figure 7 ) recesses 37 are formed, constituting seats suitable to house respective valves 30, at which branches 6' of the pipe 6 open, located in the cavity of door 4 and coming from the compressor 7 of the refrigerator.
  • Assembly 10 which may include one or more containers 20, is extremely easy to handle and lightweight, being made almost entirely of plastic material.
  • the diaphragm valve 30 has a serrated external profile 31 designed to seal on the inner surface of the seat 37 to maintain vacuum.
  • the diaphragm valve 30 is a hollow tubular body, inside whereof a conical wall 32 is provided with a frontal slot 33 normally closed and which tends to close further in case of vacuum, due to the conicity of the wall 32.
  • a switch for the activation and deactivation of the vacuum circuit can be provided in a manner in itself evident.
  • valve 32 remains closed for what has been said above.
  • the knob 50 When vacuum is to be created in the container 20, with the lid 21 lowered on it in the condition of Figure 6c , that is with the cut-out 55 of the knob 50 positioned at the tab 51 of the container, the knob 50 is rotated, for example, through 90°, in such a way that the solid part of its skirt 54 is placed under the tab 51 of the container, causing closure thereof.
  • knob 50 causes the rod 40 to advance, which is prevented from rotating, producing the opening of valve 30, with its tip 43 ( Figure 6b ) and therefore the suction of the air from container 20 through the hole 25 formed in duct 23.
  • vent valve 48 also moves, carried by the plate 45, which goes to occlude the vent hole 28, preventing air from entering the container 20.
  • Vacuum switch 9 is set to the degree of vacuum to be obtained and controls in closure solenoid valve 8, once this vacuum has been reached.
  • the knob 50 is rotated in the direction contrary to the previous one, in such a way that its cut-out 55 is placed at the tab 51 of the container ( Figure 6c ) and causing the rod 40 to retract, with consequent closure of valve 30 ( Figure 6d ) and opening of the vent hole 28 by the vent valve 48, to allow the air to exit from the container.
  • Assembly 10 consisting of bracket 11 complete with valves 30 and containers 20 with relative lids 21, made in plastic material, can be produced at low cost and is simple and practical to use.
  • the removable containers 20 can in fact be removed from bracket 11 for even partial consumption of the food contained therein, easily cleaned/washed, and repositioned on bracket 11 to be put under vacuum again.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
EP20172120.6A 2019-05-03 2020-04-29 Réfrigérateur conçu pour le stockage d'aliments sous vide Withdrawn EP3734201A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT201900006519 2019-05-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3734201A1 true EP3734201A1 (fr) 2020-11-04

Family

ID=67470559

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20172120.6A Withdrawn EP3734201A1 (fr) 2019-05-03 2020-04-29 Réfrigérateur conçu pour le stockage d'aliments sous vide

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EP (1) EP3734201A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2022142560A1 (fr) * 2021-01-04 2022-07-07 海信（山东）冰箱有限公司 Réfrigérateur et procédé d'emballage sous vide associé

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2329858A1 (de) * 1973-06-12 1975-01-09 Alexander Pachmann Konservierungseinrichtung, insbesondere fuer lebensmittel
WO2009054681A2 (fr) * 2007-10-23 2009-04-30 Lg Electronics Inc. Récipient de degazage pour un réfrigérateur
US20090302724A1 (en) 2008-03-12 2009-12-10 Whirlpool Corporation Park place refrigerator module utilities enabled via connection
US20100139303A1 (en) * 2006-08-18 2010-06-10 Bsh Bosch Und Siemens Hausgeraete Gmbh Electrical refrigerator with vacuum preserving system and corresponding control method
WO2012160558A1 (fr) * 2011-05-20 2012-11-29 Presyst Preservation System Technologies Ltd. Système et procédé de stockage d'objets

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2329858A1 (de) * 1973-06-12 1975-01-09 Alexander Pachmann Konservierungseinrichtung, insbesondere fuer lebensmittel
US20100139303A1 (en) * 2006-08-18 2010-06-10 Bsh Bosch Und Siemens Hausgeraete Gmbh Electrical refrigerator with vacuum preserving system and corresponding control method
WO2009054681A2 (fr) * 2007-10-23 2009-04-30 Lg Electronics Inc. Récipient de degazage pour un réfrigérateur
US20090302724A1 (en) 2008-03-12 2009-12-10 Whirlpool Corporation Park place refrigerator module utilities enabled via connection
WO2012160558A1 (fr) * 2011-05-20 2012-11-29 Presyst Preservation System Technologies Ltd. Système et procédé de stockage d'objets

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2022142560A1 (fr) * 2021-01-04 2022-07-07 海信（山东）冰箱有限公司 Réfrigérateur et procédé d'emballage sous vide associé

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